Although he had moved to serving duties instead of laundry or vegetable peeling in the kitchens, what he really wanted was to sneak into the laundry and bury his face in anything that smelled like Seath. Not that there was much, but Jamie had sent pieces back and forth, and a new load had arrived just this morning. At any rate, the threshold would send him currents of scent from Seath’s rooms, and that eased the discomfort that preceded a heat.
He didn’t understand it. Maybe he was just anxious for the next coven, the one that might reveal his wolf. Lycan had never seen his wolf, he was pretty sure. When he tried to remember, no sharp pulls played on his memory, it was as if it simply wasn’t there. Slowly, he had begun to recognize the difference between memories that were locked down and those he simply didn’t have. This was one he didn’t have.
“Try the Venter Compromise,” he suggested as he watered the plants that dotted the study, Alpha’s office, and Jamie’s space outside Seath’s. “It is truly the best documentation of Fae interests on this plane, some might say.”
Jamie blinked up at him, looking every bit his snow-owl persona for a moment. Big eyes, white-blonde hair. A slow smile spread across his face.
“I heard that mentioned and had forgotten, thank you Lycan.”
Lycan smiled, gathered what needed taking back to the kitchens, and left. Jamie stared after him.
Caine and Luke had tasked Jamie with observing things about the new omega in the home. He had taken some Krav Maga classes with Lycan, and found he was a competent instructor, and very knowledgeable. He also knew really random pieces of information, such as the Venter Compromise. It wasn’t the first time he had been able to pick up the conversation from something Jamie was working on and offer assistance.
Lycan made his way back to the kitchens, feeling the Threshold magic nudge him. His heat would start soon, and he knew it. A pang shot through him. Seath would be back soon, too.
How silly his crush was, and only getting worse, too. When Seath was leaving all those weeks ago and they were at the beach, Seath had licked his neck . . .Lycan felt himself blush and his slick start to make an appearance. Who got so hot about a silly tussle on the beach? He swore a specific place on his neck practically throbbed when he thought of Seath, and goddess, how he had thought of the big, sexy, Alpha.
His kind eyes . . .his soft touch . . .his . . .
His phone buzzed and he smiled, seeing that Van and Trav had both texted him. Lycan’s shoulders unbound a bit. Omega-play sounded perfect, and his heat-mates were feeling the same way.
Seath shared a look with Caine as another omega passed them in the main hall of the Pack House. They were just off the portaling grounds outside, Seath unable to wait and run the last stretch home in his wolf form. He didn’t bother to pretend that he wasn’t looking for Lycan, either. Everyone assumed he was anyway. He had been home long enough to make himself presentable, and that was all he could manage before seeking out his mate after almost six weeks away.
His duties had called him to be delayed, but now, finally, he was home.
Another omega passed him, Luke, and Caine in the hallway as they entered the kitchens.
“I can’t remember the last time there were this many unbonded omegas roaming the Pack House.” Seath observed, feeling also a relaxing in the Threshold magic. Lycan still had a friend there, it seemed.
“It’s Lycan.” Luke said, sipping his drink as they walked. “While you were gone, there was quite a lot of omega-bonding.”
“How did that happen?” Seath sipped his own tea. A restorative blend from Min that Luke had waiting for him when he arrived.
No wonder the house felt and smelled so good. Happy omegas.
Luke shrugged. “Omegas don’t give up their secrets to Alphas, Seath. Not even their doctor.”
A laugh came from the other side of the kitchen as they strolled in. It was Min.
“I imagine they are putting the nesting bunks to good use.” she said. “I won’t tell you any secrets, but your omega has a nurturing heart, and the unbonded omegas feel it.”
Luke nodded in her direction. “It has been good for everyone involved, medically speaking.”
“Really?” Seath admired that. “I knew they could get on the same heat cycle, by being a close community, and heat-mates, but . . .”
“A strong omega is good for an omega community, and a strong omega community is good for the pack,” Luke agreed. “Heat cycles make it where pups are birthed near each other in small groups, so there is built-in help in raising them from other parents going through the same experiences. Shared resources and all of that. Even then, there is still a cycle to it. The group dynamics wouldn’t allow the entire pack to be in heat or a rut. That makes things too vulnerable for the pack, so only groups will be on the same cycle. Heats and ruts are not by chance, Seath. And those different cycles have kept the Pack House full of omegas while you have been gone.”
“Go see for yourselves, Alphas,” Min said with a smile, shooing them toward the medical wing of the Pack House.
They chatted a bit more about the auspiciousness of the omegas coming to Lycan. Seath’s heart raced at the thought of seeing his mate again. Even walking in the air that was scented by his presence had his wolf paying attention.
Coming home had felt different this time. Warmer, sweeter. Like the Pack House itself was different.
In the older part of the Pack House, a small hallway in a dark corner housed the nesting bunks. Doors were placed in the wall, higher than normal, and requiring the use of two steps to reach.
The one in use was easy to find, the door closing after an omega as they entered the hallway.
Seath let the smell wrap around him. It was sweet and loving, and just a bit arousing. A den of omegas, and omegas of his pack. It made his heart race and his head feel a bit light. His pants stretched tight.
